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"Arcade Tycoon" is a simulation game where players can design, manage, and build their own arcade empire with pixelated isometric graphics. Choose from a variety of machines and decorations to keep guests happy and earn more income. Discover new games, tech, and staff through research and unlocking menus, and build arcades in various locations through 12 campaign levels and a sandbox mode. Inspired by popular sim games such as Two Point Hospital, Megaquarium, and Game Dev Tycoon. "

Arcade Tycoon screenshot
Arcade Tycoon screenshot
Arcade Tycoon screenshot
Arcade Tycoon screenshot
Arcade Tycoon screenshot
Arcade Tycoon screenshot
Arcade Tycoon screenshot
Arcade Tycoon screenshot
Arcade Tycoon screenshot
Arcade Tycoon screenshot
Arcade Tycoon screenshot
+2
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81%
Audience ScoreBased on 708 reviews
graphics58 positive mentions
story8 negative mentions

  • The game features a charming pixel art style and a nostalgic soundtrack that appeals to fans of retro games.
  • The gameplay is engaging, allowing players to build and manage their own arcade with various machines and customization options.
  • The developers are responsive to feedback and actively working on updates, showing promise for future content and improvements.
  • The game currently lacks depth and variety, with many machines feeling similar and only one customer model available.
  • There are several bugs and technical issues, including crashes and problems with the save system that can hinder gameplay.
  • The early access state means that much of the promised content is not yet available, leading to a feeling of incompleteness.
  • graphics
    132 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a nostalgic pixel art style that evokes the charm of classic arcade games, reminiscent of titles like RollerCoaster Tycoon and early 90s aesthetics. While many players appreciate the fun and quirky visuals, some have noted issues such as repetitive designs and graphical errors that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the graphics are generally well-received for their retro appeal, though there are calls for more variety and polish.

    • “The visual style of Arcade Tycoon, with its pixel aesthetics, adds a nostalgic touch.”
    • “The pixel art style is very fitting for the game, and the soundtrack goes seamlessly with it.”
    • “I love the pixel art style, the retro feel, and the chiptune music; the humor is fantastic!”
    • “Expect semi-frequent crashes, disappearing props and decor items between saves, saves that become unplayable due to decor clipping, and graphical errors with currency pop-ups.”
    • “The graphics are very unappealing as well, but I would have overlooked that if the gameplay was good.”
    • “The graphics are lazy, because everything is copy & pasted and just multiple recolors of the same machine in every category.”
  • gameplay
    128 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of the arcade tycoon game is characterized by a steep learning curve and a tedious progression system, requiring players to master various mechanics for success. While the nostalgic visuals and core gameplay loop are engaging, many players find the pacing slow and repetitive, particularly in the early levels. Overall, the game offers a mix of fun and frustration, with potential for improvement in tutorials, balance, and additional features to enhance the experience.

    • “With fun visuals, quirky staff, and strategic gameplay, it's a fresh and humorous take on the genre.”
    • “The core gameplay of balancing your budget and power needs while trying to constantly expand the arcade is just the right level of challenging -- you can chill out and watch all the little people run around your arcade while you plan your next moves.”
    • “This fits the bill perfectly and has that 'Theme Hospital' retro feel going on, with easy to understand gameplay mechanics which don't get in the way of your enjoyment.”
    • “Overall, the gameplay is a huge letdown because the economy of the game is very unbalanced, the graphics are very unappealing as well, but I would have overlooked that if the gameplay was good.”
    • “Arcade Tycoon is simple to a fault, with no emergent gameplay or real freedom to be creative.”
    • “No events and nothing else to do makes sure that there's no real gameplay.”
  • music
    82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received largely positive feedback, with many players praising its catchy, retro-inspired soundtrack that complements the pixel art style and overall atmosphere. While the chiptune tracks evoke nostalgic feelings reminiscent of classic arcade games, some users noted that the music can be repetitive and the sound effects lack impact. Overall, the soundtrack enhances the gaming experience, making it enjoyable and engaging for players.

    • “The game really just gives those old school vibes with the soundtrack and the atmosphere of the game too.”
    • “I love the pixel art style, the retro feel, the chiptune music, the humor is fantastic!”
    • “The music is good, pleasant and fits with the theme of the game and it doesn't turn annoying by listening for long periods.”
    • “The music is horrible and the sound effects from the arcade machines are too silent and not great or realistic either.”
    • “[arcade tycoon]: completely unfinished game with repetitive and annoying sounds and music, objects constantly glitch out.”
    • “There's no music beyond the music slider, but that's probably for the better, since arcade tycoon is the type of game where the player won't miss anything critical without the music, so the player can play their own type of music.”
  • story
    54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is largely criticized for its lack of depth and engagement, with many players finding the campaign missions repetitive and uninspired. Reviewers express a desire for a more compelling narrative or progression system, as the current missions do not offer significant variety or challenge. Overall, the absence of a meaningful story detracts from the gameplay experience, leaving players feeling bored and unmotivated as they progress.

    • “Like other reviews have stated, a story or more progression other than the campaign would be more entertaining.”
    • “Some things I'd like to see are a storyline, addition of rhythm games, events/scenarios (kid's birthday party, work conflict, gaming tournaments), more decoration options, and expanded customer personalities/complaints.”
    • “Only negative is - after the first few campaign missions you'll see everything the game has to offer.”
    • “It would be nice if the devs added a story or something to hold on to, because after playing it for a while it gets repetitive.”
    • “Very simple game (too simple), no story to the game whatsoever!”
  • grinding
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, with many expressing frustration over the high learning curve and repetitive tasks, such as managing arcade machines and staff bonuses. While some enjoy the nostalgic aesthetic, the overall gameplay is criticized for being overly grindy and lacking fun, leading to a mixed reception. Reducing the amount of clicking and streamlining certain mechanics could enhance the experience.

    • “Getting all those stars within the game is really tedious and slow if you only start playing.”
    • “To turn on your arcade machine it was a simple press, now you have to open up a menu, click the turn on switch, then you can't just turn on the other machine, you have to close the old menu, then click the new machine which felt very, very tedious.”
    • “While not a bad game per se, it's pretty grindy and not that fun.”
  • humor
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is described as a mix of quirky visuals, funny dialogues, and humorous challenges reminiscent of titles like "Two Point Hospital" and "Theme Hospital." While some players appreciate the comedic elements and random events that add to the fun, others feel that the humor is limited, with only a few standout moments. Overall, the game offers a lighthearted experience, though there is room for more comedic depth.

    • “With humorous challenges inspired by games like Two Point Hospital and Megaquarium, balance power management, staff antics, and diverse attractions to keep guests entertained.”
    • “Quirky graphics and hilarious characters add to the fun!”
    • “The random events that occur are kind of hilarious sometimes.”
  • optimization
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is well-optimized, running smoothly without any stuttering or lag, and features impressive animations. Players appreciate the polished experience but express a desire for further updates to enhance performance and add more content. Overall, the optimization is positively received, contributing to an enjoyable gameplay experience.

    • “Well polished game, no stuttering or lag.”
    • “I like what I've seen so far, the game runs smoothly and the animation is fantastic; you get to see the players use the joystick and the buttons, etc.”
    • “Great game and runs smoothly, can't wait for future updates!”
    • “Just need time for the developer to add more items, tweak overall performance, and provide a clearer tutorial.”
  • stability
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game currently suffers from significant stability issues, with numerous bugs and glitches affecting basic functionalities, such as the money system. Reviewers note that it feels unfinished and is still in early production, leading to a frustrating experience for players.

    • “The game is unfinished and buggy in its current state.”
    • “The little content present in the game now is highly buggy; basic things like the money system do not make sense.”
    • “The game is still early in production, so obviously there are going to be glitches.”
  • atmosphere
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere evokes nostalgic old-school vibes, enhanced by a fitting soundtrack and appealing retro graphics. However, the environment is criticized for feeling lifeless and poorly designed, detracting from the overall experience.

    • “The game really gives those old school vibes with the soundtrack and the atmosphere.”
    • “The graphics are nice and really add to the retro charm and atmosphere.”
    • “The game really gives those old school vibes with the soundtrack and the atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is also not good because every 'city' is dead and strangely designed.”
    • “The game really just gives those old school vibes with the soundtrack and the atmosphere of the game too.”
    • “+ graphics are nice and really add to the retro charm and atmosphere.”
  • monetization
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn criticism for misleading advertising, as players note that much of the content promised on the store page is inaccessible or blocked off in-game. While the pixel art and retro references are appreciated, the significant disparity between advertised features and actual gameplay raises concerns about the game's value.

    • “I am not going to bash the devs for what is not in the game, after only a couple of hours of playtime, but what they are advertising on their store page is not in the game.”
    • “It's all blocked off and for advertising 90 percent down is a red flag.”
    • “I am not going to bash the devs for what is not in the game, after only a couple of hours of playtime, but what they are advertising on their store page is not in the game.”
  • replayability
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers good replayability with sandbox modes and numerous elements to uncover, making it a worthwhile experience for its low price. However, some users feel it falls short of the essential replay value expected from a tycoon game.

    • “There's lots to uncover, which gives this game good replay value.”
    • “I will now be working on sandbox modes, and there is plenty of replay value for a cheap $10.”
    • “This game has to be replayable to meet the essential part of a tycoon game.”
    • “But this fails to live up to the most essential part of a tycoon game - it has to be replayable.”
  • character development
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviewers suggest that the game lacks diversity in character designs, leading to a sense of repetition and a missed opportunity for visual richness. Enhancing character variety could significantly improve the overall character development experience.

    • “The game could benefit from introducing more diverse character designs to prevent repetition and add more visual richness.”
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11h Median play time
8h Average play time
3-13h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs
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